Pneumatic massage



Nov. 21,' 1950 G. w. MILLER PNEWATIC MASSAGE Filed June 5, i947 2 Sheets-Sheet l Fig.l.

Gerald W Miller WW e Nov. 2l, 1950 Filed June 3, 1947 G. W. MILLER PNEUMATIC MASSAGE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor Gerald W. Miller Patented Nov. 21, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,531,074- PNEUMATIC MASSAGE `Gerald W.- Miller, Dblong, Ill.V Application June s, 1947', s'eriai'No. 752,151

This invention appertains to novel and useful improvements in apparatus especially designed for therapeutic treatment of various circula-V tory ailments.

An object of this invention is to provide means for applying selectively high and low pressures to certain predetermined areas of the anatomy.

A further object of this invention is to provide fluid under predetermined pressures and temperatures within a plurality of cells arranged in a sheath or cover adjacent selected portions of the anatomy particularly the leg of a person, there being a specifically constructed assemblage to accommodate the foot of a person.

A still further object of this invention is to provide slide fastening means for retaining said receptacles in the desired location relative to the anatomy.

A further object of this invention is to provide an extremely simple device of the character to be described which is efficient in operation.

Ancillary objects and features of novelty will become apparent to those skilled in the art, in following the description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of the preferred form of the present invention, showing a persons leg therein;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional View of the invention disclosed in Figure 1 and taken substantially on the line 2 2 thereof and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a perspective view in reduced scale of the preferred form of the present invention, with some of the tubes omitted for clarity;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the invention disclosed in Figure 1 and taken substantially on the line li-l thereof and in ,the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is an elevational front view of the invention disclosed in Figure 3.

This invention has been conceived and developed to provide a device for orthopedic treatment of selected portions of the human anatomy, in order to relieve pain produced by certain ailments. The invention may be utilized in hospitals, doctors offices, home treatment, gymnasiums and the like. The broad concept is to provide an apparatus for applying alternately high and low pressures to selected portions of the body and further, to control the temperature of the medium used in producing the high and low pressures by heating or cooling the uid medium used for pressure application.

1 Claim. (Cl. 12S-38) ForY illustrative pur-poses the invention has been shown as utilized with the leg of an individual. A housing or cover I0 forming a sheath and composed of any suitable, pliable material is provided with a slide fastener l2 extending longitudinally thereof. Of course, by use of the slide fastener the housing may be easily detached or attached to the leg i4, disclosed in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive. Inspection of Figure 1 discloses that there are seven cells juxtaposed Within the said housing Il] for embracing the leg i4 disclosed therein. Each of these cells is preferably composed of some suitable resilient material such as rubber or the like.

A lower series of cells I6, I8 and 2G respective ly are provided beneath the foot of the said leg I@ whereon the foot may rest. Each of the cells is provided with a suitable aperture therein and other apertures are provided in the housing l@ adjacent the cell apertures. Extending through each pair of these apertures there is a sleeve member 22 which terminates within the cell and exterior of the said housing ID. The said sleeves are preferably screw threaded and a collar 24 is provided on the interior portion of each of said sleeves. A nut 26 is threadedly received on the exterior portion of each of said sleeves and a collar 28 may be placed between the said nut and the housing l0. Of course, as is apparent from an inspection of Figure 4, the said nut 26 may be tightened until an eifective air seal is created between the cells and housing. It is also noted from an inspection of Figure 1 that each of said cells is provided with an assemblage of sleeve, collar and nut means.

A resilient seating means 3U is provided within the foot portion of the housing l0 for the purpose of engaging the upper portion of the foot, extending from the leg I4. This resilient engaging means 3) is preferably of sponge rubber or some other conventional equivalent.

A conduit 32, extending from a suitable source of fluid, terminates in a spider 36. It is noted at this point that it is within the purview of the present invention `to supply the said conduit 32 with a fluid. This fluid may be water, air or the like. It is also noted that the temperature of the air or Water may be selectively controlled prior to entering the spider 34. It is also within the purview of the present invention to provide a valve 35 for said spider for controlling the fluid flow therethrough.

As stated above, conduits 36 extend from the said spider 34 and are received on the sleeves 22. The function of the said tubes 36, which are flexible in nature, is deemed quite apparent as 3 they obviously` conduct fluid to' and from the cells I6, I8, 2U, 40, 4I, 42 and the others (unnumbered).

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A device for massaging a persons leg and foot comprising a plurality of individual expansible cells, a cover retaining said cells in an assembly to form a sheath for a persons leg and foot, means secured to said cover for opening and closing said cover, means for conducting fluid to and from said cells, said last-mentioned means including sleeves extending through said cover and communicating with said cells, tubes extending from said sleeves, a spider having said tubes attached thereto, a conduit attached to said spider to direct fluid into said spider and to conduct the fluid from said spider, and a resilient pad in the lower part of said cover adapted to engage the upper portion of the foot, at least one of said cells being disposed in tlielower part of said cover and arranged to support the foot inflation and deflation of said cells.

' GERALD W. MILLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

